Portland
Dorothy Brewer Erikson died peacefully on Sunday, May 10, 2015, Mother’s Day, at the Gosnell House in Scarborough, at the age of 94. She was a resident of the Atrium at the Cedars in Portland, Maine. She was born in Bar Harbor, ME the daughter of Annie (Ahlblad) Brewer and C. Leslie Brewer.
Raised in Bar Harbor, Dorothy graduated from Bar Harbor High School and from the University of Maine in 1942, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.While in college, she met her future husband, Gordon Iver Erikson and they were married August 22, 1943 and shared a loving partnership for 68 years until his passing in March 2012. Dorothy was a staff dietician at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. Shortly after being married, they moved to West Boylston, MA to raise their three children Nancy, Gordon Jr. (Eric) and Carlton. She loved caring for her children and spending many happy summers in Bar Harbor with extended family. Dorothy was active on the University of Maine Alumni Council and President of her class. She received the the Block “M” Award, Black Bear Award and the Golden M Award at her 50th Class Reunion for alumni service. She also was active in the American Association of University Women and served as President. Dorothy was a board member of the American Antiquarian Society, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and a member of the Colonial Dames of America, and Mayflower Society. One of her proudest accomplishments was the publication in her 70’s of a widely respected genealogy of the Brewer Family, “Descendants of Thomas Brewer: Connecticut to Maine, 1682-1996, with Allied Families”. Whenever a family member asked about family history she would say, “If you read my book you would know!”. In retirement in Naples, FL, Dorothy and Gordon were active in Trinity Episcopal Church and the Antique Show that raised money for many nonprofit organizations and started a fundraising lunch for Massachusetts General Hospital that continues today. She had many interests including gardening, bridge, golf, sailing, genealogy, sewing, and knitting. Her interest in needlepoint led her to start a small nautical needlepoint business. Even into her nineties, she was always a keen follower of current events. The most important part of her life was always the care and enjoyment of her family.
Dorothy is survived by daughter Nancy Erikson Ladd and her husband, Samuel, of Cumberland Foreside and their children Thomas and wife Coryn, and Peter; a son Gordon Jr, “Eric” Erikson and his wife Donna of Cumberland Foreside and their children Daniel and wife Eliza, and Abigail and husband Clancey; and a son Carlton Erikson and his wife Marianne of Castle Rock, CO and his children Meleena and husband Huey, and Edward and wife Nicole. She also leaves 9 beautiful great grandchildren and is survived by her brother Leslie C. Brewer and sisters-in-law, Connie Christie and Beverly Stewart.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 AM, July 24, 2015 at St. Saviours Episcopal Church, 41 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to: Mt Desert Island Hospital, 10 Wayman Lane, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 or St. Saviours Episcopal Church, 41 Mt. Desert Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.
Arrangements by: Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com